What on earth happened last year?

[uberjamb]

Trae Young is obviously a special talent. He’s doing pretty great in the NBA as a rookie. At least so far, this year’s OU team proves that he wasn’t surrounded by a bunch of scrubs, and I never believed that. Why on earth was that team so bad? It doesn’t make any sense.

 

[Max Power]

They didn't like each other.

 

[coolm]

no leadership and terrible team chemistry.

 

[918sooner]

I think team chemistry was a huge issue myself

 

[NickZepp]

Team chemistry and we just weren't as talented in areas. James was young and inconsistent. McGusty was arguably our 2nd or 3rd best player and the most promising scorer we had and was just awful half the time. I think we just have it upgraded all around in talent now. If Trae were on this team they are probably pretty close to a final four contender.

 

[pnkranger]

Senior leadership.

 

[coolm]

If Trae were on this team they are probably pretty close to a final four contender.

noooooooooo.

 

[tmeyer3307]

I agree about the leadership. Manek is clearly stronger and a bit better. James is playing super well. I think McGusty was a huge problem. Wasn't a team player and would not play any defense.

 

[Sooner Season]

Team chemistry and we just weren't as talented in areas. James was young and inconsistent. McGusty was arguably our 2nd or 3rd best player and the most promising scorer we had and was just awful half the time. I think we just have it upgraded all around in talent now. If Trae were on this team they are probably pretty close to a final four contender.

I pretty much disagree with this entire post.

 

[AdaSooner]

The problem was all of the above. But, it was mainly team chemistry. When the losses started to pile up toward the end of the season, finger pointing and the blame game was the order of the day. Leadership was nonexistent.

Two of the trouble makers transferred. The remainder of the team made a commitment one by one to Coach Kruger. We’re seeing the results of that commitment now. Amazing what a difference playing as one unit (for each other) makes, isn’t it?

 

[coolm]

... it was mainly team chemistry. When the losses started to pile up toward the end of the season, finger pointing and the blame game was the order of the day. Leadership was nonexistent.

Two of the trouble makers transferred. The remainder of the team made a commitment one by one to Coach Kruger. We’re seeing the results of that commitment now. Amazing what a difference playing as one unit (for each other) makes, isn’t it?

yes. all of this.

 

[schoonerdriver]

noooooooooo.

I agree. Trae hasn't shown the ability to play consistent winning basketball at any level.

 

[coolm]

I agree. Trae hasn't shown the ability to play consistent winning basketball at any level.

I wouldnt go that far. I just prefer our current dynamic over the one with him leading the team.

 

[Sooner Season]

I wouldnt go that far. I just prefer our current dynamic over the one with him leading the team.

+1

 

[sperry]

We added two senior guards who have played over 100 D1 college games and Christian James improved dramatically.

Last year we had Kam McGusty, Khadeem Lattin and Jordan Shepherd playing major minutes. That's not a good thing. Those minutes have been replaced with much better players. Odomes is down from 20 minutes to 11 minutes per game, again a good thing.

 

[ellissooner]

I've heard that things weren't great with the Youngs. All about themselves and I know I'll get slammed but take it for what's it worth.

 

[SoonerBounce13]

I said it from the day Trae committed, that I did not like his attitude and that it could cause some lockerroom issues. He was quoted as a self proclaimed savior of OU basketball. It had to rub the guys that had put in the blood sweat and tears the wrong way

 

[oufanfrmks]

The problem with the team last year? Trae Young, hands down. It was all about him. He knew it, the coaches new and so did the players. We were fortunate to only have lost McGusty from the team. It would have been easy for others to give up and go elsewhere. I'm glad they didn't, it shows the maturity level and commitment to the program.

Trae is a Sooner and always will be, but he will never be on the same level (mean as much to the university) as Blake and Buddy. I would put Hollis Price and Ryan Minor above him as well. They were all team players, Trae was only there for himself and that was it. I wouldn't say it's 100% his fault either, his dad is pretty arrogant. Trae's family and my family have a mutual friend. I spoke to his dad after a game last year and mentioned it. His response to me was "I think I know who that is." Struck me wrong.

 

[BoulderSooner]

The problem with the team last year? Trae Young, hands down. It was all about him. He knew it, the coaches new and so did the players. We were fortunate to only have lost McGusty from the team. It would have been easy for others to give up and go elsewhere. I'm glad they didn't, it shows the maturity level and commitment to the program.

Trae is a Sooner and always will be, but he will never be on the same level (mean as much to the university) as Blake and Buddy. I would put Hollis Price and Ryan Minor above him as well. They were all team players, Trae was only there for himself and that was it. I wouldn't say it's 100% his fault either, his dad is pretty arrogant. Trae's family and my family have a mutual friend. I spoke to his dad after a game last year and mentioned it. His response to me was "I think I know who that is." Struck me wrong.

the other guy you talk about in this post and his parents were the much bigger probelm last season than young

 

[TINY]

There’s no doubt that the team chemistry went into the ****ter about midway through. People blaming a true freshman for that have no effin idea what they are talking about. The coaches lost the team, plain and simple. There was no senior leadership to help out the coaches either.